Few people can argue that Diane Rowden does not work as hard as any Hernando County commissioner. She's accessible and ready to listen to the concerns of her constituents, willing to immerse herself in almost any issue, large or small, and to roll up her sleeves in pursuit of a solution.
Those are her strengths. Ironically, they also are her weaknesses.
Rowden's head-on approach to solving problems - challenging the status quo and asking questions other commissioners will explore only behind the scenes - sometimes results in ruffled feathers or wasted energy as she follows up on minute details she could leave to county staffers. Perhaps because of her 30-year career as an airline flight attendant, her style is geared too much toward customer service; she aims to please one person at a time.
But Rowden also sees the bigger picture, and during her first four years on the commission she has shown she is capable of morphing from the champion of underdogs into a policymaker who understands the need to serve the majority of residents, even if it is unpopular.
For those reasons, Rowden, a Democrat, earns our recommendation in the Nov. 2 District 3 commission race.
Rowden's tenure on the commission has coincided with a period of burgeoning growth. She has been resolute in her stance that the commission should dictate to developers, not the other way around. She understands the importance of adhering to the comprehensive growth management plan and putting into place laws and policies that back up her stance.
Rowden has opposed so-called leapfrog developments that would contribute to sprawl and put a strain on traffic and other infrastructure. She has insisted that big-box developers such as Wal-Mart not bulldoze every tree in their paths and that retail centers have more aesthetic qualities. She advocated an ordinance that prevents unsightly and oversized outbuildings that can devalue neighboring properties.
Rowden took the lead to oppose a tire incineration plant near Masaryktown. She pushed for expanding the curbside recycling program in Spring Hill. She has defended funding of the county's public transportation system. And, after initially balking, she recently cast a pivotal vote to impose inclining block rates so that residents who use the most water pay more than those who conserve.
Rowden was instrumental in bringing the county's economic development operations back under full control of the commission. She also was the first commissioner to acknowledge that former county Administrator Paul McIntosh needed to be replaced because he irreparably damaged his credibility by accepting gifts.
And, whether or not you agreed with the proposal, Rowden assumed the leadership role in the commission's effort to pass a referendum earlier this year that would have raised the sales tax one-half percent to pay for a half-dozen worthwhile building and infrastructure programs. Her willingness to take on that uphill task during an election year is a testament to her tenacity and her readiness to put herself on the line for a cause in which she believes.
Rowden, 55, has two opponents in the District 3 race. Mark Cattell, a 31-year-old lawyer who lives in Brooksville, is on the Republican ticket. Cattell is a promising newcomer whose platform centers on the commission's being more accountable for its spending by scouring every department for savings. Cattell also is critical of Rowden's occasional penchant for being shrill or insensitive; he promises to exhibit a more consistent temperament.
The remaining candidate in this race is Steve Ashmore, who has no political party affiliation. He is one of several candidates associated with Landmark Baptist Church who sought office this year. He would not meet with the Times editorial board, so analyzing his platform has been a challenge. However, Ashmore did deliver a letter in which he claims residents' personal property rights have been "trampled." He also decried the commission's "socialist attitude" toward "uncontrolled spending" and criticized Rowden for accepting an award from a group that raises awareness about Islamic Americans.
Both challengers fall far short of the incumbent's enthusiasm for the job, her understanding of the issues or her wherewithal to keep government focused on residents' needs. We strongly recommend that voters return Rowden to the District 3 seat.
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Candidates who are not recommended by the Times are invited to respond. Replies for this race must be received no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. Replies are limited to approximately 250 words.
Deliver to Jeff Webb, Editor of Editorials, Hernando Times , 15365 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34613. Fax to 352 754-6133. E-mail responses to webb@sptimes.com
